The train is already waiting for us when we reach the platform. Geriel has given us each a little bag filled with jam sandwiches, fruit and bottles of water. She tried to be kind, despite us ignoring her goodwill, and I feel a little bad about that, but if it had been up to me I wouldn’t have booked such intimate accommodation. I prefer hotels, where things are a bit more impersonal. The last thing I want is someone pushing me to be friendly and communal, wanting to share everything about my day with them. Even in the hostels I’ve been in, I’ve managed to avoid this for the most part, so I really hope that our accommodation at the next stop is something more to my liking. I suppose this is what happens when you tag yourself onto someone else’s trip. It’s the first time I’ve done something like this, usually preferring to choose my own accommodation, although I have to admit that Sam chose well, and I had no problems staying with him. He has money, though, and he’s not afraid to spend it. Which I suppose is why people generally flock to him. Yes, he is good-looking and charming and generous and funny. Sexy and current and the perfect person to be around. But he’s also a little stupid, and quite vain, and he was an idiot to let me go.

‘Come on, let’s get on.’ Carrie hoists her backpack on and starts walking along the platform, glancing at her tickets and the stickers on the doors, looking for the right carriage.

I stub out my half-smoked cigarette and follow behind her. A female guard is gesturing, and Carrie stops to talk to her. Eventually I catch up.

‘We’re in first-class,’ Carrie says. ‘Whoop!’

I frown. ‘Weren’t we in that before? From Beijing?’

‘Yes … but we didn’t really make the most of it. It was only one night. I spent most of that in the standard-class buffet car while you slept through it all. We’re on here three nights now. We can live it up.’ She throws her bag onto the train and clambers up the steep metal steps after it. Then turns to me. ‘Although … I am actually pretty wrecked after that mad festival. Could probably do with laying off the drink for a while. Maybe I’ll make this a detox trip. I’m sure they’ll have loads of herbal teas.’

My laugh comes out as a snort. ‘We’re travelling to Russia. You really want to spend your time drinking chamomile and peppermint? Do you realise that Russians drink alcohol literally all the time? All of them?’